Gen Z Is Getting Fired. Here's How Mentorship Fixes That

Will Having Emotional Intelligence on Your Resume Help Get Your Dream Job?

He was 17, bright, capable, and eager to prove himself. His first part-time job seemed simple enough: stocking shelves, keeping the backroom clean, and showing up on time. But within a month, he was let go. Not because he was lazy or disrespectful. Not even because he lacked skill.

He was fired because he didn’t know how to receive feedback without shutting down. Because when a manager gave him direction, he interpreted it as criticism. Because no one had taught him how to handle conflict, advocate for himself, or recover from a mistake.

He didn’t fail. He floundered.

And he’s not alone.

Why the Workplace Feels So Hostile to Gen Z

Ask most teens or young adults how they feel about entering the workforce, and the word “overwhelmed” comes up a lot. And who can blame them?

Today’s workplaces often operate on outdated systems that assume professionalism is instinctive, that emotional regulation comes naturally, and that young people know how to manage themselves in complex social environments.

Now add another layer: remote or hybrid work.

For many Gen Z employees, their first job happens behind a screen. No hallway chats. No body language to read. No quick, encouraging nod from a manager. Feedback is delayed or missing altogether. Relationships are often transactional, and emotional nuance can get lost in the brevity of Slack messages or the limitations of Zoom calls.

This disconnect can feel deeply alienating, especially for young people who are still building their confidence. They're left wondering, Am I doing okay? Is anyone noticing me? Does this even matter?

The result? Lower confidence, more second-guessing, and early burnout.

What Gen Z Actually Needs to Succeed

Let’s shift the narrative. Gen Z isn’t fragile. They’re navigating uncharted territory with very few tools. What they need isn’t just technical training. They need emotional mentorship.

What makes the biggest difference?

• Feedback literacy: Knowing how to hear, process, and apply feedback without spiralling.

• Emotional resilience: The ability to bounce back from a rough meeting or miscommunication.

• Professional confidence: Not just “fake it till you make it,” but a grounded belief in their value.

These aren’t skills you learn in school. And they’re even harder to develop when working remotely or in a hybrid team.

That’s where mentorship becomes non-negotiable.

Mentorship as the Missing Link

The shift happens when a young person has someone in their corner. A guide who isn’t a parent, boss, or therapist. Someone who listens without judgment, offers perspective, and helps them translate emotional confusion into practical confidence.

That’s what mentorship provides.

It’s not about fixing. It’s about guiding.

At The Mentor Well, we believe this is the missing piece in workplace readiness. Teens and young adults need emotional support and strategic tools. They need someone to say, “I’ve been there. Let’s figure this out together.”

And especially in remote or hybrid roles, they need someone outside the Zoom grid who sees them fully.

MentorWell’s Approach to Career Confidence

Our program is designed specifically for the in-between. The Thriving Zone, we call it—that space where young people are stretching for independence, but still figuring out who they are.

Here’s how we do it:

• One-on-one mentorship with emotionally intelligent adults from diverse fields.

• Tools to help teens build self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and leadership skills.

• Guided sessions that focus on real-world readiness, not textbook theory.

• Programs that feel safe, affirming, and future-focused—without the pressure of therapy.

And it works. Over 90% of our mentees report feeling more confident and clearer on their next steps after just a few sessions.

Whether your teen is navigating their first job, choosing a post-secondary path, or just feeling stuck—mentorship creates the space they need to breathe, reflect, and grow.

Ready to Help Your Teen Thrive?

If your teen is struggling with self-doubt, frustration, or workplace stress, they’re not failing. They’re learning. They just need the right kind of support.

That’s why we created resources like the Confidence Booster Toolkit: practical, approachable tools that meet them where they are and help them take their next step forward.

Let’s build workplace confidence from the inside out; one conversation, one mentor, one teen at a time.